The state of Virginia has always been extremely conservative when it comes to gambling of any kind, and it was a shock to see the state get involved with legal sports betting. The temptation for a boost in tax revenue was simply too strong, and lawmakers started working on a bill to legalize the industry.
Sports betting was officially made legal in Virginia on April 22, 2020, after a series of bills were sent back and forth between the Governor and the General Assembly. Since Virginia did not have any legal, commercial casinos at the time, sports betting was approved in mobile form only.
Sports betting was launched in January 2021 and will remain a mobile-only market in August 2022. The state could potentially have close to 20 online sportsbooks active in the state and a handful of retail sportsbooks as well.
Virginia posted solid sports betting numbers right from the beginning, but those numbers have started to slow down a bit.
TOP 3 VIRGINIA SPORTSBOOKS
Active Virginia Online Sportsbook Operators
- Bally Bet Sportsbook: Bally Bet Sportsbook was able to enter Virginia on November 24, 2021, and it does not have a partnership in the state. Bally’s launched Bally Bet, and it has seen big growth over the last few years.
- Barstool Sportsbook: Penn National Gaming launched the Barstool Sportsbook, and it has a big influence from Barstool Sportsbook personalities. Barstool Sportsbook officially launched in Virginia on August 10, 2021.
- BetMGM Sportsbook: BetMGM Sportsbook launched on January 27, 2021, in Virginia, and it does not have a partner in the state. This is one of the leading online sports betting options in the country.
- BetRivers Sportsbook: BetRivers has partnered with the casino property in Portsmouth to enter the state of Virginia. This launch happened on January 27, 2021, and BetRivers is a big name in the U.S. sports betting industry.
- Caesars Sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook has a deal in place with the casino property in Danville, and it was able to launch online sports betting on February 3, 2021. Caesars Sportsbook is known for having great bonuses or promotions.
- DraftKings Sportsbook: DraftKings Sportsbook launched online sports betting on January 24, 2021, and it does not have a partnership in the state. DraftKings continues to be an online sports betting leader throughout the country.
- FanDuel Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook was the first online betting option in the state of Virginia as it launched on January 21, 2021. FanDuel is also a partner with the Washington Football Team, and that will give the operator a boost.
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook: Golden Nugget Sportsbook launched in Virginia on October 13, 2021. This is not a big name in the U.S. sports betting industry, but Golden Nugget provides a solid sports betting experience.
- Hard Rock Sportsbook: Hard Rock Sportsbook is one of the newest options in the state of Virginia, as the site first launched on March 31, 2022. Hard Rock will have a retail sportsbook at the new property in Bristol when it first opens.
- PointsBet Sportsbook: PointsBet Sportsbook is a company from Australia that first launched online sports betting in Virginia on December 15, 2021. PointsBet has a partnership with Colonial Downs in the state.
- SI Sportsbook: SI Sportsbook went live on May 9, 2022, in the state of Virginia, and this is one of the only states with this sportsbook. SI Sportsbook is a product of Sports Illustrated, and it is just starting to make a push in this industry.
- Unibet Sportsbook: Unibet Sportsbook is an international sports betting operator that launched on April 28, 2021, in the state of Virginia.
- WynnBET Sportsbook: WynnBET Sportsbook is making a big move in the U.S. sports betting industry and is powered by Wynn Resorts. WynnBET is partnered with NASCAR in Virginia and launched on March 11, 2021.
Virginia Sportsbook Welcome Offer
Since there are so many online sportsbooks in the state of Virginia, one of the best ways for each operator to attract business is to offer a welcome bonus. Welcome bonuses come in many different forms, and it’s a good idea to take advantage of as many offers as you can find.
You will usually see welcome offers come in the form of a risk-free bet or first deposit match, but each operator can create their own offer. It’s also not uncommon to see welcome offers change, but most of the top sportsbooks will keep the same offer for a long period of time.
If you are looking for the best welcome offers in the industry, then you will want to check out the list below as it will be updated.
- Bally Bet Sportsbook Welcome Offer: Bally Bet Sportsbook is not offering a welcome bonus to new customers in the state of Virginia.
- Barstool Sportsbook Welcome Offer: Barstool Sportsbook has a new player bonus for new customers in the state of Virginia that acts as a risk-free bet worth up to $1,000 on the first wager that is placed.
- BetMGM Sportsbook Welcome Offer: $1,000 risk-free bet for all new customers at BetMGM Sportsbook in Virginia.
- BetRivers Sportsbook Welcome Offer: BetRivers Sportsbook has been consistent with its welcome offer, and it’s a 100% first deposit match up to $250 for all new customers.
- Caesars Sportsbook Welcome Offer: Caesars Sportsbook is known to have a massive welcome bonus available, and that offer is a risk-free bet worth up to $1,500 for all new customers in Virginia.
- DraftKings Sportsbook Welcome Offer: DraftKings Sportsbook VA offers a 20% first deposit of up to $1,000 for all new customers who register for a new account.
- FanDuel Sportsbook Welcome Offer: FanDuel Sportsbook has changed up the name of its welcome offer to a “No Sweat First Bet.” This is a risk-free bet worth up to $1,000 when making the first wager at FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook Welcome Offer: Golden Nugget Sportsbook will match the first bet that you make at the sportsbook up to $250.
- Hard Rock Sportsbook Welcome Offer: Hard Rock Sportsbook offers a risk-free bet worth up to $100 for all new customers in Virginia.
- PointsBet Sportsbook Welcome Offer: PointsBet Sportsbook offers a pair of risk-free bets that are worth up to $2,000. New customers receive a $500 risk-free bet on the first fixed odds wager and a risk-free bet worth up to $1,500 on the first points betting wager.
- SI Sportsbook Welcome Offer: After making a first bet of at least $10, SI Sportsbook awards $50 in free bets to all new accounts.
- Unibet Sportsbook Welcome Offer: New customers at Unibet Sportsbook are eligible to receive a risk-free bet worth up to $500 on the first wager that is placed.
- WynnBET Sportsbook Welcome Offer: New customers at WynnBET Sportsbook will receive $100 in free bets after making at least $100 in wagers with minimum odds at -120.
Virginia Sportsbook Promo Codes
Sportsbooks in Virginia offer promo codes as a way to attract bettors with the latest offers from the site. Not all of the active sportsbooks in Virginia require a promo code all of the time, but you can find plenty of them offered.
Promo codes also help sportsbooks in Virginia keep track of when customers sign up for a new account. It’s pretty common to see a promo code change up every single month, even if the welcome offer is still going to be the same.
Finding the latest promo code can be a challenge at times, but this page will have all of the latest Virginia sportsbook promo codes that you can use at each site.
- Bally Bet Sportsbook Promo Code:
- Barstool Sportsbook Promo Code:
- BetMGM Sportsbook Promo Code:
- BetRivers Sportsbook Promo Code:
- Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code:
- DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code:
- FanDuel Sportsbook Promo Code:
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook Promo Code:
- Hard Rock Sportsbook Promo Code:
- PointsBet Sportsbook Promo Code:
- SI Sportsbook Promo Code:
- Unibet Sportsbook Promo Code:
- WynnBET Sportsbook Promo Code:
Deposit/Withdrawal Methods Available in Virginia
Banking at the online sportsbooks in Virginia is no longer a hassle like it used to be in other states. Online banking options at sportsbooks used to be a bit limited, but that is no longer the case.
It’s also important to remember that banking at online sportsbooks is a safe and secure process that can be done quickly and efficiently. New banking options remain emerging when looking at deposit and withdrawal methods.
Deposit Options
If you are looking for the best deposit options at online sportsbooks in Virginia, then you will be able to choose the one that works the best for you. Every sportsbook in Virginia will come up with its own approved deposit options, but you are going to see plenty of similar options at each sportsbook.
Using a credit/debit card used to be one of the only ways to fund a sportsbook account, and that will still be an option. Using other apps or mobile banking options has become a more preferred deposit option because the money can be sent quickly.
PayPal and Skrill are two of those options, and it’s not difficult to link those accounts to a sportsbook account. You could also choose to have an online bank transfer sent, but that could ultimately lead to some delays when making a deposit.
Another newer option that has emerged is a prepaid card being offered from online sportsbooks. Most of the top options use a Play+ Card, and that is a simple way to send money back and forth to a sportsbook.
Withdrawal Methods
When it comes to making a withdrawal, you are only going to find a handful of options, but all of them are going to be safe and secure. PayPal and Skrill are two of the most preferred options because you can then have access to that money in a matter of minutes.
Another way to get your winnings from a sportsbook is to request an ACH or echeck. An online bank transfer is also an option, but that could cause some delays in the money getting back into your account.
Pros & Cons of Betting Online in Virginia
Pros
- Potentially up to 17 different online sportsbooks in the state
- Virginia has attracted sports betting leaders
- Bettors can place a wager from anywhere within the state.
Cons
- No betting on in-state college teams at online sportsbooks
- Currently, no retail sportsbooks to visit when looking to cash out.
FAQ’s About Virginia Sports Betting
When did Virginia officially launch sports betting?
Sports betting in the state of Virginia officially launched on January 21, 2021, with FanDuel Sportsbook accepting the first wagers.
Are there retail sportsbooks in Virginia?
As of August 2022, there are no retail sportsbooks in the state of Virginia, but that will eventually change. Virginia officially launched sports betting as an online-only sport betting market.
What is the legal sports betting age in Virginia?
The legal minimum age to bet on sports in the state of Virginia is 21 years of age, which is pretty standard throughout the United States.
Do Virginia sportsbooks offer live betting?
Live betting has become a popular way to wager on sporting events, and you will find this option at the top online sportsbooks in Virginia.
Are mobile sportsbook apps available in Virginia?
Yes, the Virginia online sportsbooks also have mobile apps that can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices.
Can I bet on college sports in Virginia?
Yes, betting on college sports is legal in Virginia, but with two major exceptions. Sportsbooks cannot accept wagers on any games featuring teams from the state of Virginia, and there can be no prop betting offered for any college sporting event.